Nitrocellulose propellent explosive



Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES M. A. STINE AND CHARLES E. BURKE, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, AS-

SIGNORS TO E. I. DU PONT DE 'NEMOURS & COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE NITROCELLULOSE PROPELLENT EXPLOSIVE No Drawing. Application-filed ltay 27, 1925, Serial No. 33,280. Renewed July 25, 1927.

ite type nitrocellulose is colloided with another material which is itself an explosive and which therefore, when colloided' with the nitrocellulose, does not seriously reduce the potential of the latter. Ordinarily nitroglycerin is used as the colloiding constituent. Nitroglycerin, however, has certain disadvantages when used in this connection. It is very sensitive and because of this property, its incorporation with the nitrocellulose becomes a hazardous and dangerous operation owing to the probability of premature explosion. The resulting powder is also very sensitive and many precautions must be taken in handling the finished product.

We have discovered, however, that in the manufacture of powders of this type the nitrated esters of lactic acid and the polyhydric alcohols having from two to three hydroxyl groups and containing. only carbinol carbon, such for example as, di-nitro-glyceryl-nitro-lactate, nitro-glyceryl-dinitro-lactate, glyceryl-tri-nitro-lactate, nitroglycyl-nitro-lactate, ethylene-glycyl-di-nitrolactate, ethylene-mtroglycyl nitro lactate, etc., are excellent substitutes for nitroglycerin, possessing practically all the advantages and few of the disadvantages of this constituent. The class of compounds mentioned are in general better colloiding agents for nitrocellulose than nitroglycerin. They are less sensitive to shock and are less toxic. In general, also, they have a larger molecule than nitroglycerin and are in consequence lcss volatile. Owing to the lower. sensitivity of these compounds the manufacture of powder containing. them is much simplified and the danger of premature explosion is considerably lessened. Because of the low volatility and decreased toxicity of the compounds, workmen are not subjected to the same danger of poison in the manufacture of powder as when nitroglycerin is used. Powder manufactured from these compounds is much more stable and subject to less change n storage than is the nitroglycerin containing powder, this being due to the lower volatility of the constituents-as compared with nitroglycerim' These compounds are described in detail in our co-pending applicalent powder may be made consisting of:

7 Parts Pyro nitrocellulose 70 Di-nitro-glyceryl-nitro-lactate 30 Diphenylamine "a- 1 To a water suspension of'the pyro nitrocellulose is added the di-nitro-glyceryl-nitro -lactate, and the suspension is-agitated until the ingredients are thoroughly colloided. I The water is then removed, the product dried,-

dissolved in a solvent such as a mixture of ether and alcohol, worked up into a thoroughly plastic mass, and extruded through'a die of any desired size. The .cords are 'then cut into the desired length and dried.

Whilethe amount of ester may vary, it is found preferable to use from 15 per cent to per cent of ester based upon the total mixture. If desired, two or more of the esters may be used in the same mixture. For instance, the nitrocellulose may be mixed with a. mixture of nitro-glyceryLnitro-lactate and glycyl-di-nitro-lactate.

We claim:

1..A propellant explosive comprising nitrocellulose colloided with a nitrated ester of lactic acid and a polyhydric alcohol having from two to three hydroxyl groups and containing only carbinol carbon.

2. A nitrocellulose composition containing 15 to 50 per cent of :nitrated esters of lactic 3. A nitrocellulose composition containing nitrated glycyl lactate.

4. A nitrocellulose composition containing a glycyl nitro-lactate.

5. A nitrocellulose composition containing a nitro-glycyl-nitro-lactate.

6. A nitrocellulose composition containing a lycyl-di-nitro-lactate;

A progellent explosive containing a nitration pro not of lactic acid ester oi-a poly hydric alcohol.

8. An explosive composition containing a major 'portion of nitro-cellulose, and a minor .ing a compound taken from a group ing a compound taken from a portion of a nitrated lactic acid ester of a polylXdric alcohol. J

9.. nitro-cellulose com osition containing all ethylene-nitro-glycyl-n1tro lactate.

10. A nitro-cellulose composition containing ethylene-glycyl-di-nitro-lactate.

11. A propellent explosive containing a nitrated ester of lactic acid and a polyhydric alcohol having from two to three hydroxyl groups and containing only carbinol carbon. '12.- A nitrocellulose composition containing a compound takenwfro m a group comprising nitrated glyceryl lactate and a,glycylnitro-ester, a

13. A nitrocellulose composition containprisin-g a glyceryl-nitro-lactate and a glycylnitro-ester.

14.. A nitrocellulose composition containing a compound. taken from a group comprising a'nitro-glyceryl-nitro-lactate and a glycylnitro-ester.

' "15. A nitrocellulose composition contain ing from 15 to 50 per cent 0 di-nitro-glyceryl-lactate and a glycyl-di-nitro-ester.

In testimony whereof we afix our'signa tures.

-' CH I S M. A. STINE.- GHLES E. BURH.

COIII- group compris 

